chroming parts~!

[CharlieHustle]

Hi everyone~! I just wanted to ask people out there about chroming parts of my boat. Parts such as, hand rails, blocks, cleats, and winches.. Is there a place that anyone knows of in the- U.S. preferably, that I can contact for pricing on things of that sort?? Or do all of you just replace the parts all together instead of replating them?

Thanks for all your help~!!!

Mia

 

[Talbot]

If you want to re-chrome, the first place to ask is the car customising or bike custom business, as they should know where to go.

 

[castaway]

I just had some of my deck fittings re-chromed ( in the UK) and for a few cleats, a couple of louvered engine room vents, less than a foor square, plus 2 mushroom vents it cost me 200 quid.

They did a good job and Im sure the plating will last well but I was quite suprised how much it was, but as I had these items removed for some work it was worth doing.

Nick

 

[uforea]

I've just had 6 Lewmar winches rechromed for £120 here in the UK so you hopefully will get that done for $120 in the US of A.
Ted.

 

[Salty John]

I think it might vary from state to state, but I had rechroming done in Florida and it was around three times what it cost a year earlier in UK. Something to do with disposal and/or handling of heavy metals, EPA etc.

 

[oldgaffer1]

I'd be really glad to hear of any recommendations for re-finishers the U.K. - I've just removed various items from my Cheoy Lee and need to find a decent plater....

 

[charles_reed]

It's unlikely you'll have any chromed parts on a boat - they're usually stainless steel.

Chrome-plating can and has been done on a stainless substrate, but is very unusual.

Chromed pieces soon rust in a marine environment and the best thing to do is replace them with stainless steel.

 

[Tomkat17]

When you got your winches rechromed how did they handle the central knurled section which grips the sheets?

 

[Salty John]

I used a company in Bredbury, near Manchester, so not much use to you down there , I'm afraid.

 

[Salty John]

The coating is quite thin so you lose very little of the roughened section. My winches looked like new and worked just as efficiently as they had before re-chroming.

 

[Cruiser2B]

Mia,

Look up 'plating' or 'metal fabricators' in the yellow pages. Anything chromed for marine use should be done in 3 steps - copper-plated, followed by nickle-plating, then chrome-plated on top. The thin layer of chrome is porous, thats why you will see chrome pieces rust. Stainless pieces can be done this way, which will prevent them from rusting as well, which we know will happen unless you are fastidious in your maintenance.

 

[castaway]

Not so Charles! Most older boats (like mine ) are bronze or brass deck fittings triple chrome plated...I have to say tho, that it has in my case only a 20 year or so life time.

If I had not wanted to keep the original fittings and holes I would have done better to replace with s/s

Regards Nick

 

[tugboat]

Fareham Electroplating in Hampshire are a good outfit.
Tel 01329-288831 and ask for Patsy Boullin.